Reyes: So far, so good

When the season started, I had six saves in 300 career games. This year alone, I already have nine saves. Baseball brings a lot of surprises. It's a funny game that way. Right now, I'm having fun in the closer's role and it's going good. I take every opportunity I can.

I feel good about the way I'm throwing the ball right now. Most importantly, I feel very good about my health. I missed all of last year after undergoing Tommy John surgery, so it's a relief to come back and feel strong and healthy again.

I believe I'm throwing as well as I've thrown the ball in my career. Now, I just want to keep it going and continue to pitch well.

In Spring Training, I didn't focus too much on what my role on the team would be. I just wanted to make the team. Whatever role they were to give me, I was just going to go out there and do my job the best I could.

I missed baseball -- I missed the game a lot last year while I was rehabbing following the surgery. But I had a lot of rehabilitation to do. It was a lot of work and it would get frustrating. I kept looking forward to getting back on the mound.

My injury happened on the last game of the 2005 season. I was with St. Louis and we were about to start the playoffs. That made it particularly frustrating. It was a fun time of year and the team was counting on me to be ready for the playoffs.

Coming back from the injury, I tried to remain positive. I was 37, but I had seen guys in the big leagues do it before. Guys can pitch into their 40s these days. During my rehab, that's what I thought about.

Veteran reliever Al Reyes has been a pleasant surprise for Tampa Bay's bullpen so far this season. The Cristobal, Dominican Republic-born Reyes has converted all nine of his save chances and has 16 strikeouts over 12 innings.

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.